Types of Financial Aid
As an OCC student, you’re potentially eligible for four types of financial aid:
Eligible students can receive financial aid for fall, winter, and summer semesters.
Attending school in the summer can help you get your degree faster.
OCC also participates in educational benefit programs for veterans.
How to Qualify for Financial Aid
To qualify for most financial aid, you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA. We provide a checklist of other steps you need to take.
The federal government, which supplies most money for financial aid, has established
some eligibility requirements. One says you must make Satisfactory Academic Progress, which shouldn’t be a problem as long as you attend your classes and do the work.
What happens after you submit your FAFSA? Find out in How We Calculate Your Financial Aid and How We Deliver Your Financial Aid.
Contact Us Before Dropping a Class
If you receive financial aid and you’re thinking about dropping a class or leaving
school entirely, talk with us at the Financial Aid office first. Changing your enrollment
status may harm your current and future eligibility for financial aid. In some circumstances,
you have to pay back financial aid that you’ve received. We can explain the consequences
of dropping a class or leaving school so you can make an informed decision.
If you want to drop a class because you’re not doing well, a better option is to get
tutoring or supplemental instruction at OCC’s Academic Support Center. Tutoring and supplemental instruction are available in person at all five OCC campuses
and online. All services are free.
How to Learn More About Financial Aid
At OCC’s Financial Aid office, we’re always happy to answer your questions. Our pages
here answer most questions, and there are many ways to contact us if you need further assistance.
Here are a few other great sources for financial aid information:
- The office of Federal Student Aid has excellent publications, videos, forms, worksheets, webinars, and other tools.
- You can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center, which is operated by the U.S. Department of Education, at 800.433.3243. The center also offers live chat and email options.
- MI Student Aid from the Michigan Department of the Treasury offers information about state financial
aid programs. It also has webinars about financial aid, a scholarship search engine
based on where you live, numerous publications, and more. You can call MI Student
Aid with questions at 888.447.2687 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Essentials
- Check your OCC email regularly, even if you leave school. It’s the main method the
Financial Aid office uses to communicate with you.
- To get the latest news about financial aid, check the Financial Aid News & Announcement page.
- If you want the Financial Aid office to discuss your financial aid application with
your spouse, parents, or others, you must fill out a proxy authorization. To access
the form, log into MyOCC, click on the Financial Aid card, click on your student name in the top-right, and choose View/Add Proxy Access from the pull-down menu.
- If your financial situation changes, contact us at the Financial Aid office to see
if we’re able to increase your aid. You must have compelling reasons and documentation
to support any adjustment.
- If you receive a scholarship or other funds from an outside agency, you must inform
OCC’s Financial Aid office so we can coordinate your aid.
- Guest students, high school dual-enrolled students, and students who aren’t seeking
a degree or certificate aren’t eligible for financial aid. Guest students may be eligible
for state aid.
- Your financial aid doesn’t automatically renew. You must fill out a new FAFSA each
year you’re in school.
- If you submit fraudulent data on your FAFSA, we’ll refer your case to the U.S. Department
of Education for possible prosecution.
- Be sure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a financial aid recipient.